Special Feature: The Israeli Technologies Presented to Obama

Prime Minister Netanyahu showed US President Obama a series of technological products by Israel’s high-tech industries.

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Yoni Kempinski, 21/03/13 18:53

Netanyahu & Obama Meet Israeli Technological

Flash 90

Prime Minister Netanyahu showed US President Obama a series of technological products by Israel’s high-tech industries in the framework of a special exhibit that was set up in President Obama’s honor.

The Prime Minister noted that Israel was recently ranked first in the world in research and development intensity.

The products were chosen by a professional committee headed by Prime Minister’s Office National Economic Council Chairman Prof. Eugene Kandel. Also on the committee were Science and Technology Ministry Director General Menachem Greenbloom; Industry, Trade and Labor Ministry Chief Scientist Dr. Avi Chason and Prime Minister’s Office Communications Unit Head Rafi Shamir.

The products were chosen from among proposals presented by Israel’s universities in keeping with their degree of innovation, impact on humanity and presentability. The committee forwarded its recommendations to Gil Shefer, the head of Prime Minister Netanyahu’s bureau.

The chosen products:

1. In the field of energy alternatives – Phinergy

Phinergy has developed an aluminum-air battery designed for electric vehicles, and which allows a significant increase in travel range (three times that of a regular electric vehicle). The technology will allow for a reduction in global oil consumption. The system is based on metal air technology, including aluminum air and zinc air. A metal-air battery features an air-electrode that breathes oxygen from ambient air, instead of the conventional cathode. That is, the battery consumes the required oxygen from the air, rather than having heavy materials that bound oxygen inside it. Metal-air batteries therefore have a huge potential for delivering high capacity with low weight. The technology also has the significant advantages of zero CO2 emissions, full recyclability, safety and low cost. (Based on development at Bar-Ilan University.)

2. In the field of the struggle against traffic accidents – Mobileye

The goal of Mobileye, a global pioneer in developing Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), is to develop and market vision-based systems that will help drivers keep passengers safe on the roads and decrease traffic accidents by warning about dangerous situations and even braking the vehicle when necessary. To date, Mobileye’s technology has been implemented and launched by BMW, Volvo, GM and Ford in over one million vehicles. Beginning in 2014, the system will become standard for new vehicles as per the standards set by Euro-NCAP. (Developed in association with Hebrew University.)

The Rewalk approach aims to give persons with lower limb disabilities, such as paraplegia, an experience that is as close to natural walking as possible. The ReWalk exoskeleton suit uses a patented technology with motorized legs that power knee and hip movement. Battery-powered for all-day use, ReWalk is controlled by on-board computers and motion sensors, restoring self-initiated walking without needing tethers or switches to begin stepping. ReWalk controls movement using subtle changes in center of gravity, mimics natural gait and provides functional walking speed. A forward tilt of the upper body is sensed by the system, which triggers the first step. Repeated body shifting generates a sequence of steps, which allows natural and efficient walking. The ReWalk also sits, stands, allows turning and has the ability to climb and descend stairs. (Developed by a graduate of the Technion.)

5. In the field of medicine – MiniDesktop

A headset has been developed that enables computers to be controlled by brainwaves or facial movements. The computer is controlled without a mouse or keyboard by means of a headset that images the user’s brainwaves from 14 separate points. The system, which was developed by three software engineering graduates from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, is designed to serve the physically handicapped who could not otherwise operate a computer or other devices.

6. In the field of search and rescue – robot snake

The robot is designed to enter spaces in collapsed structures with minimal disturbance. The robot thus assists in location and rescue operations. The robot is unique in its manner of crawling and is very flexible thanks to its great number of segments. Each joint is motorized and has a computer, sensors, wireless communications and batteries. Its head carries a camera. Thanks to its flexible structure, the snake is able to crawl through wreckage without causing additional structural collapses and provide vital information about inaccessible areas, including the status of people who might be trapped, the location of hazardous materials, etc. (Developed in association with the Technion.)